10:33 A.M. EDT
ACTING ADMINISTRATOR SLAVITT: Good morning, and thank you for joining us. I am joined by Dr. Walensky from the CDC and Dr. Fauci from the NIH today. I want to tell you today that things are about to get a whole lot easier.
When we arrived in January, many Americans were understandably frustrated with the pace of the vaccination program and the sea of challenges: not enough vaccines, few places to get vaccinated, a shortage of vaccinators, and confusing rules on who qualified in every state, Tribe, and territory.
We got to work, around the clock, deploying the whole-of-government approach — from the FEMA personnel who are getting shots in arms in communities across the country, to the men and women in the armed forces who are overseeing the shipment and delivery of the vaccines, to the scientists and clinicians at FDA, CDC, and NIH who have ensured the safety of these vaccines.
As a result, our vaccination program is now humming and it’s even accelerating. Over 80 percent of seniors have had at least their first shot, up from 8 percent. And now, 50 percent of adults in the U.S. have had at least one shot, up from 5 percent.
And we now have one thing on our mind: making sure the other 50 percent know how easy it is to get a shot. So, if you still think it’s too difficult to get your vaccine, here’s what you need to know: The lack of supply, the shortage of locations, the confusing rules are all in the past. That cannot be said enough.
Thanks to the aggressive action taken by many, and the collaboration of so many people across the country, there are now thousands of more people ready to help get you vaccinated. There are now millions more vaccine doses available and waiting. And there are now more than 60,000 safe and convenient places for you to go get your shot.
Every one who you’ve seen finally able to safely hug a loved one, to visit each other without masks, to see old friends, that’s an opportunity that’s now within reach for you if you make your appointment.
If you’re 16 or over, it is your turn to get vaccinated, no matter where you live. And now there’s now a 9 out of 10 chance that you are located within 5 miles of your vaccine shot.
And for those of you who have people in your lives who can’t get to a vaccine site, we are helping community-based organizations connect vulnerable Americans with shots. And to get resources to healthcare providers serving at-risk populations and to promote equitable distribution of vaccines, today, HHS is making $150 million available to community-based healthcare providers to strengthen their efforts to get shots in arms and care for patients with COVID-19.
I want to conclude my remarks by offering great thanks. This vaccination program will be what brings us out of the pandemic. And thanks to the President’s whole-of-government, wartime response, today is an important day in the entire scope of the pandemic.
Thanks to the scientists who have spent more than 20 years researching and developing the technology that led to these vaccines; to the warehouse workers and truck drivers getting vaccine doses to every corner of the country — to the local pharmacies, health centers, medical centers, faith-based organizations, and many more ensuring vaccine access in their communities; and to the healthcare workers who are putting the shots in arms — thanks to all of them, it has never been easier to get a shot.
Join the more than 130 million Americans who have already gotten at least one shot — half of one — half of all adults. That’s a lot of progress, but as we said from the start, winning this war against COVID-19 takes all of us doing our part.
So, here’s my direct plea to everyone listening: If you haven’t already made an appointment to get vaccinated, make one right now. You are eligible. Then, reach out to your family, friends, and neighbors to make sure they can make an appointment too. And see what help you can offer them to help those who might need extra assistance.
Thank you.
With that, I will turn it to Dr. Walensky.
DR. WALENSKY. Thank you, Andy. Good morning, and I’m so glad to be back with you again today. Let’s begin with an overview of the data.
Yesterday, CDC reported nearly 60,950 cases of COVID-19. Our seven-day average is up to over 67,440 per day. For context: One month ago, our seven-day average of cases was just over 53,000 per day. The seven-day average of hospital admissions is about 5,460. And sadly, the seven-day average of daily deaths are now increasing, with six consecutive days of increases, to about 695 deaths per day. Sunday, we again saw almost 700 deaths in a single day.
